Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Tender & Delicious Crockpot Recipe (2024)

This slow cooker pulled pork recipe always yields fantastic results every single time, no matter what cut of pork you use! Rub the pork with a homemade blend of seasonings, sear the outside, and pop it into the crockpot! Go about your day; this delicious meal will be ready when you get hungry!

Serve on Kaiser roll buns, homemade brioche buns, or pretzel buns (yum!), and top with another big dollop of honey BBQ sauce.

This pulled pork recipe is one of my favorite easy dishes because you can just set it and forget it! Plus, it's perfect for serving a large group, bringing to potlucks, or even enjoying on a picnic!

It's an ideal dish for hosting because you can prepare it in the morning, and it will be ready to serve for dinner! This way, you still have the whole day to get anything else ready without having to worry about the main course!

🥘 Ingredients

The key to this tasty pulled pork is the seasoning rub! Use fresh herbs and spices for the best flavor!

• Brown Sugar - 3 tablespoons of light brown sugar, divided into 1 tablespoon and 2 tablespoon portions.
• Smoked Paprika - 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika.
• Cumin - ½ teaspoon of ground cumin.
• Salt - 2 teaspoons of salt.
• Pepper - ½ teaspoon of pepper.
• Garlic Salt - ½ teaspoon of garlic salt. You can also use garlic powder if that's what you have on hand.
• Rubbed Sage - ½ teaspoon of rubbed sage.
• Oil - 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Pork - 3-4 pound boneless pork shoulder. Go ahead and trim off any excess fat. Of course, this recipe will work well with various pork cuts, so use whatever you like!
• Water - ¾ cup of water.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - ½ cup of apple cider vinegar.
• Tomato Paste - 3 tablespoons of tomato paste.
• Honey (optional) - 2 tablespoons of honey for some sweetness.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This easy pulled pork recipe is so simple that you'll never want to make it another way again! Just grab your slow cooker, a small bowl, and a frying pan to sear the meat!

This recipe is for 10 servings, so add on some yummy sides and get ready to serve a crowd!

Make the Seasoning Mix

1. Mix the seasonings. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons each of smoked paprika and salt, and ½ teaspoon each of cumin, pepper, garlic salt (or garlic powder), and rubbed sage. Rub the spice mixture all over your 3-4 pound pork, coating all sides.
2. Sear the meat. In a large frying pan, heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned pork and sear all of the sides, until browned (about 5 minutes). Transfer pork to a plate and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce Mix

1. Mix the sauce. Add ¾cup of water, ½ cup of apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar (add optional 2 tablespoons of honey, if desired) to the drippings in the frying pan. Then, whisk or stir ingredients together to make a thin sauce.
2. Cook. Transfer the sauce from the frying pan into your slow cooker and add the seasoned pork. Cook on low for eight hours, or on high for six hours.
3. Shred the meat. Once cooked, pull the meat apart (add salt or pepper to taste). Add your favorite barbecue sauce, then pan fry for a nice crispy texture on the edges of your pulled pork (optional).

Look at my post on what to serve with pulled pork for some yummy recipes and ideas to round out your meal! Enjoy!

💭 Tips & Notes

• Customizing Flavor: Enhance the taste by adding optional ingredients like pineapple juice, mustard, crushed red pepper flakes, and liquid smoke. Mix in your preferred flavors to tailor the dish to your liking.
• Marinating for Depth: For deeper flavor, marinate the seasoned pork in the fridge overnight. Remember to take it out 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to return to room temperature.
• Serving Suggestions: While the pulled pork is ready to serve straight from the crockpot, for added texture, pan-fry the shredded meat until the edges are crispy.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Leftover pulled pork can be kept in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4-5 days.

You can also place the pork (once cooled) into a container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Just transfer it to the fridge and let it thaw out overnight when needed.

Reheating

Place your pulled pork into a baking dish and add a splash of broth, if needed. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 250°F (120°C) until hot, about 20-30 minutes.

To reheat in the slow cooker, just add the pork back into the crockpot along with some broth or drippings. Cook on low heat until heated through.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ FAQ

🐷 More Tasty Pork Recipes

• Moo Shu Pork - A tasty homemade version of this popular Chinese takeout dish!
• Pan-Seared Pork Chops - Delicious pork chops are seared to perfection and super flavorful!
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork - If you are in a time crunch, this pulled pork recipe can help you out!
• Pork Belly Burnt Ends - These bite-sized pieces of pork are truly addicting!
• Smoked Pork Belly - Get the smoker started and get ready to enjoy some satisfying pork!
• BBQ Baked Pork Spareribs - Juicy ribs are baked in the oven and coated with your favorite barbecue sauce!

📖 Recipe Card

More Slow Cooker - Crock Pot